 "The 'Let us be bold with our songs' series is an educational and
entertaining experience," said Jennie Battles, administrator of the
Vachel Lindsay Home Site. "The program, drawing its title from
Vachel Lindsay's own words, is an opportunity for residents and
guests of Springfield to enjoy performances in the setting of the
famous artist's historic residence."The program will include some
singalongs, as well as a few readings of Lindsay's poetry. The first
medley will be from the Civil War era, with such tunes as "Lorena,"
"Just Before the Battle, Mother" and "Battle Hymn of the Republic."
The second medley will feature "General William Booth Enters Into
Heaven" and "Why I Voted the Socialist Ticket." The third will
include music that was popular during Lindsay's lifetime, such as
"Play a Simple Melody," "Toot, Toot, Tootsie" and "Lady Be Good."
Jim and Susie Miller are a husband-and-wife team who met when
they both attended Indiana University. They have four sons -- all
gifted singers and two of them composers.
Susie received a bachelor's degree in music education from
Indiana University. She was the choral director at the University of
Wisconsin-Manitowoc for 26 years and currently directs the Capitol
Kids Choir in Manitowoc at the Capitol Civic Center, a restored
vaudeville theater built in 1921. She also sings in a
semiprofessional chorus, the White Heron Chorale, in Appleton, Wis.
Jim completed a master's degree in choral conducting at Indiana
University. He taught choral music at Lincoln High School in
Manitowoc for 32 years. He has done music and stage directing for a
number of musicals, taught voice and piano, directed church choirs,
and done some ad hoc teaching at the college level. He also sings in
the White Heron Chorale.
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 Dunlap, the couple's accompanist for the program, attended Corbin
College and toured with the Triple Trio and Sound of Song. She
taught for the Yamaha Music Corp. for 20 years and consulted in
teacher education in Salem, Ore.; Detroit, Mich.; and Atlanta, Ga.
She has accompanied for Susie's choir and for Jim in several
musicals he directed.
The July 28 program, sponsored by the Vachel Lindsay Association
and the Old State Capitol Foundation, is free and open to the
public. Refreshments will be served after the program, and tours of
the home will be available before and after the performance.
The
Vachel Lindsay Home State Historic Site, 603 S. Fifth St.
in Springfield, is the birthplace and longtime residence of poet,
author and artist Nicholas Vachel Lindsay, 1879-1931. It is open
Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for free public
tours.
[Text from file received from
the Illinois Historic
Preservation Agency]
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